MarkDaSpark

JOATMON wrote:I've more than tasted Noir de Noir; I bought a bottle on the tour, consumed it, and did a poorly received unofficial labrat report on it.

I bought one on the tour, and two more during the offer. Haven't opened any yet. It has some varieties for the app too.

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

MarkDaSpark

javadrinker wrote:I remember the Arneis but not the Fiano. When did Seghesio pour that one?

In the tasting room, after lunch (Arneis during lunch).

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

MarkDaSpark

Roditis, Mavrodaphne, and Bual all tasted with TByrd and Java!! Whoo Hoo!

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

iByron

I'm filling my form out. It's fairly easy for me, so I'm adding the challenge of noting either my very first or my most recent wine. And I'm going for named varietals instead of blends (at least for now).

JOATMON

Chardonnay is California's most widely planted grape, at nearly 95,000 acres, with cabernet sauvignon a distant second. But the state's vineyards also boast an astonishing range of grape varieties. Some are so sparsely planted that they aren't listed in the annual California Grape Acreage Report.

I love sampling wines made from these esoteric grapes. Some of the grapes — think tocai friulano or verdelho — are widely used in other countries but little-known here. Others aren't well-known anywhere. I first encountered a broad range of these sorts of wines at Wild Horse Winery in Templeton. Then-owner Ken Volk loves working with these oddball grapes, and he was always looking for something new. "What's the hardest thing to pronounce, and where can I get the grapes?" he joked at the time.

Volk sold Wild Horse, but he's up to his old tricks at his new winery, Kenneth Volk Vineyards in Santa Barbara County, where he makes wines like verdelho and négrette. Wild Horse also continues to produce some of the wines that Volk liked so much. And these days I'm seeing more of these unusual wines from a number of wineries around the state.

Albariño is a good case in point. The white grape from Rias Baixas in northwest Spain was brought to California in the late 1990s by Michael Havens in the Napa Valley. His Havens Wine Cellars produced California's first commercial albariño. It's still not listed separately in the grape acreage
Advertisement
report, but now there are at least half a dozen California wineries making albariño. Tangent winery in Edna Valley has made a major commitment to it; its 2007 albariño ($17) is crisp and citrusy, with white peach and a soft finish. Bonny Doon also produces a good one under its Ca' del Solo label; the 2007 Ca' del Solo Albariño ($20) is fresh, crisp and floral, with white nectarine and citrus flavors.

Verdelho is a white grape from Portugal that's actually listed in the acreage report, with all of 84 acres. Dan Lee of Morgan Winery produces a good one under his Lee Family Farm label. The 2007 Lee Family Farm Verdelho ($15), made from Lodi grapes, is refreshing and bright, with lemon and green apple flavors. Lodi is also the grape source for the 2007 Fenestra Verdelho ($15), which is fresh and crisp, with green apple and pear flavors. The 2007 Kenneth Volk Verdelho ($24) from Paso Robles offers bright green apple, a hint of peach and just a trace of heat on the finish.

Tocai friulano is an import from northeastern Italy. (Although the European Union has ruled that its name must be changed to simply "friulano" because of a dispute with Hungary's tokaji producers, Californians can still use the old name.) The 2007 David Noyes Tocai Friulano ($20) is crisp and refreshing, with citrus and a hint of almond paste, while the 2005 Borgo Buon Natale Tocai Friulano ($18), from Jim Clendenen of Au Bon Climat, is a little rounder. Arneis is another Italian grape, in this case from the northwestern Piedmont region. The 2007 August Ridge Arneis ($21) is zingy and fresh, with citrus and almond paste flavors.

While muscat isn't uncommon, it's usually made in a sweeter style. The 2007 Ca' del Solo Muscat ($17) is just off-dry and very perfumey, with citrus and white peach flavors. The 2007 Alicats Dry Muscat ($12) is dry and intensely floral, with pear and almond notes. Navarro Vineyards is another reliable producer of dry muscat; its version is usually fairly rich.

Then there are the white grapes that used to be popular in California but are rarely seen now in premium wines. Chenin blanc is one such grape, but you can still find a few good ones, like the 2007 Dry Creek Dry Chenin Blanc ($11.50), which is fresh and crisp, with white peach, pear and a hint of pink grapefruit. French colombard is another, but it's the main component in the delightful, racy non-vintage Seven Daughters Winemaker's Blend ($15). (Both of these grapes are still heavily planted in the Central Valley and used mostly for jug blends.)

I'm less enthralled overall by the unusual reds being produced in California, but there are definitely some good ones. Négrette is a grape from southwest France, and there are some plantings in Cienega Valley, in San Benito County. Those vines are the source of the 2005 Kenneth Volk Négrette ($24), which is spicy and a little floral, with bright berry, a hint of white pepper and a smooth finish, as well as the 2006 Wild Horse Négrette ($24), which is slightly minty, with robust berry flavors and a hint of tobacco.

De Rose Vineyards in Hollister makes a wonderful, concentrated négrette from 150-year-old dry-farmed vines, but I haven't tasted the current vintage, 2006 ($40).

A lot of vintners, especially in warmer growing areas, have planted the traditional Portuguese varieties used in port, like touriga nacional and tinta cao. Now these grapes are starting to appear in table wines, too.

For example, there's the 2006 Fenestra Touriga ($23), which offers ripe black cherry flavors, accented by cedar, spice and a hint of chocolate. There's also the 2004 Murrieta's Well Zarzuela ($29), a blend of touriga nacional, tempranillo and a bit of souzao that's bright and spicy with ample berry fruit and a soft finish. Fenestra also makes a wine from alvarelhao, another Portuguese grape; the 2005 ($19) displays bright blueberry and spice flavors, with a smooth finish. It benefits from some aeration.

Lagrein hails from Italy's hilly Alto Adige region, where it produces rich, low-tannin wines that are often light in color. The California lagreins I've tasted have little in common with their Italian cousins, but some are tasty nonetheless. For example, there's the 2005 Santa Barbara Winery Lagrein ($26), which is quite dark, dense and aromatic, with plump blueberry and raspberry fruit.

Nearly 200 acres of tannat are planted in California, but the grape is better known in southwest France and Uruguay. Lone Madrone in Paso Robles produces a good one; the 2005 ($50) is big and dense, with berries and chewy tannins, along with a remarkable freshness. And the 2005 Ursa Tannat ($18) is inky and floral, with ample black fruit.

Few people have heard of cabernet pfeffer, and its origins are murky. Volk had it tested and found that it was actually a French variety called gros verdot. "Pfeffer" means pepper in German, and the 2005 Kenneth Volk Cabernet Pfeffer ($28) shows plenty of that spice, along with dark fruit and a hint of cedar.

Charbono used to be common in California, but there are now only about 85 acres of it; more than half of it, surprisingly, is planted in the cabernet-centric Napa Valley. The 2006 Fortitude Frediani Field Blend ($24) is about three-quarters charbono; it offers lots of bright blueberry and blackberry with some attractive spiciness.

Because these wines are unusual, most of are made in limited quantities, too. There are exceptions, like the Dry Creek Dry Chenin Blanc, but your best bet for finding many of the wines will be to call or visit the winery or order online.

InShadows

I'm having a problem with the list. Maybe not necessarily the list but a particular wine. Over the weekend I had the Henriques & Henriques Rainwater Madeira. I enjoyed it, albeit after I left it open for a little bit. Now I'm going back and listing the varietals that were in the wine. I'm coming up short. Google searches and even CellarTracker are almost non-existent. I was wondering if anyone knew what they were or should I just go back to the place I bought it and ask them.

CT“Every time you think something or someone is stupid, it just means there is another thing in this world you don’t understand.” - In memory of Robert, 1975-2009
If you make a man a fire, he'll be warm for a night. If you set him on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
Past NoVA Gatherings

sanity

....snipped....
Because these wines are unusual, most of are made in limited quantities, too. There are exceptions, like the Dry Creek Dry Chenin Blanc, but your best bet for finding many of the wines will be to call or visit the winery or order online.

JOATMON, thanks for a great post. Timely, too, for our so-cal gathering. Thanks!

sanity

InShadows wrote:I'm having a problem with the list. Maybe not necessarily the list but a particular wine. Over the weekend I had the Henriques & Henriques Rainwater Madeira. I enjoyed it, albeit after I left it open for a little bit. Now I'm going back and listing the varietals that were in the wine. I'm coming up short. Google searches and even CellarTracker are almost non-existent. I was wondering if anyone knew what they were or should I just go back to the place I bought it and ask them.

I got a chuckle out of your quote, thanks. I checked their site, and not much detailed info on there either. They might be happy to tell you if you emailed them directly.

JOATMON

InShadows wrote:I'm having a problem with the list. Maybe not necessarily the list but a particular wine. Over the weekend I had the Henriques & Henriques Rainwater Madeira. I enjoyed it, albeit after I left it open for a little bit. Now I'm going back and listing the varietals that were in the wine. I'm coming up short. Google searches and even CellarTracker are almost non-existent. I was wondering if anyone knew what they were or should I just go back to the place I bought it and ask them.

Manny Berk of Rare Wine Company might know. I'll send out an email....

javadrinker

Free.winelibrary.com has helped me have 2 more on the way -- yesterday a Loureiro (portuguese white); today a Prieto Picudo. I'll be up to 99 shortly.

Now, what should my 100th be?

Nice!!! Be sure to post when you get your cert. I think I'll start updating the original post with all of the members of the Century Club once people start getting accepted. The only person i know of who is officially already a member is Subsignia but he doesn't post here anymore.

Loweeel

javadrinker wrote:Nice!!! Be sure to post when you get your cert. I think I'll start updating the original post with all of the members of the Century Club once people start getting accepted. The only person i know of who is officially already a member is Subsignia but he doesn't post here anymore.

I think I'll go with a PX. It's appropriate to celebrate. Hopefully I can convince iB to bring one down with him...

InShadows

Okay thanks for trying. I'll email H & H and see if they respond. If all else fails, I'll just have to drink more wines.. oh darn!

CT“Every time you think something or someone is stupid, it just means there is another thing in this world you don’t understand.” - In memory of Robert, 1975-2009
If you make a man a fire, he'll be warm for a night. If you set him on fire, he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
Past NoVA Gatherings

MarkDaSpark

Well, up to 78, but have some new wines to try. Need to pop them open soon and get a move on getting to 100.

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

MarkDaSpark

javadrinker wrote:And up to 54 thanks to T-byrd's Albarino last night. More than half way there.

Up to 81 due to TB's generosity. The others were all ones I haven't had yet either.

T-byrd ....

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

ddeuddeg

Coming soon, to SoCal #4, Seyval Blanc from Honeymoon Trail Wine Company, about 5 miles from Niagara Falls, NY, Baco Noir from Henry of Pelham in Southern Ontario, Canada, and Rkatsiteli from the first Winery in the country to make it, Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes. I'm also bringing extras of those to help JOATMON work toward his ultra-orthodox 100% Wine Century Certification. I assume JOAT and Sparky have work out the details of the compensation for transporting the goods.

"Always keep a bottle of Champagne in the fridge for special occasions. Sometimes the special occasion is that you've got a bottle of Champagne in the fridge". - Hester Browne

JOATMON

ddeuddeg wrote:JOAT, I got lucky on the Rkatsiteli: it was on sale at $5 off. PM me, and I'll let you know what I wound up spending.

PM sent.

As an aside: I'm sitting in the Asiana business class lounge in Incheon, Korea, using their wireless networking to read these discussion boards and email. Technology is getting pretty darn close to that magic that Clarke talked about.

Loweeel

ddeuddeg wrote:Coming soon, to SoCal #4, Seyval Blanc from Honeymoon Trail Wine Company, about 5 miles from Niagara Falls, NY, Baco Noir from Henry of Pelham in Southern Ontario, Canada, and Rkatsiteli from the only Winery in the country making it, Dr. Konstantin Frank Vinifera Wine Cellars in the Finger Lakes. I'm also bringing extras of those to help JOATMON work toward his ultra-orthodox 100% Wine Century Certification. I assume JOAT and Sparky have work out the details of the compensation for transporting the goods.

I'm sorry, you are INKORREKT about the rKats. Horton Vineyards in Virginia also makes one.

MarkDaSpark

timbyrd wrote:The varietal of the Amontillado was "Palomino Fino". Did you count that, too?

-- T

Si. Too bad Hendrick's isn't on it ......

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

ddeuddeg

Loweeel wrote:I'm sorry, you are INKORREKT about the rKats. Horton Vineyards in Virginia also makes one.

So does Tomasello Winery in New Jersey. I think my aging memory was playing tricks on me again. The source I was looking at listed Dr. Frank as the FIRST (not the only) to grow and cultivate the grape in the US. My apologies, and my thanks to Loweeel for his vigilance.

"Always keep a bottle of Champagne in the fridge for special occasions. Sometimes the special occasion is that you've got a bottle of Champagne in the fridge". - Hester Browne

MarkDaSpark

ddeuddeg wrote:So does Tomasello Winery in New Jersey. I think my aging memory was playing tricks on me again. The source I was looking at listed Dr. Frank as the FIRST (not the only) to grow and cultivate the grape in the US. My apologies, and my thanks to Loweeel for his vigilance.

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

MarkDaSpark

Okay, the Vegas tasting was a success! Java is up to 76 now, and I am at .... drum roll please .... ... 99!

So who wants to help me drink #100???

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

Someone has to put WD's kids thru college, but why does it have to be me! *This post is for purposes of enabling only, and does not constitute any promise of helping pay for said enabling. It does indicate willingness to assist in drinking said wine.

Woot.com is operated by Woot Services LLC.
Products on Woot.com are sold by Woot, Inc., other than items on Wine.Woot which are sold by the seller specified on the product detail page.
Product narratives are for entertainment purposes and frequently employ
literary point of view;
the narratives do not express Woot's editorial opinion.
Aside from literary abuse, your use of this site also subjects you to Woot's
terms of use
and
privacy policy.
Woot may designate a user comment as a Quality Post, but that doesn't mean we agree with or guarantee anything said or linked to in that post.